2014 Sustainable Quality Awards Celebrates Record Number of Business Finalists

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - March 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Celebrating its 19th year, the Sustainable Quality Awards (SQA) (http://www.smsqa.com/) is a successful collaboration between the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Sustainable Works and the City of Santa Monica Office of Sustainability and the Environment. The SQA was created to recognize businesses in Santa Monica working toward making significant achievements in the areas of sustainable economic development, social responsibility and stewardship of the natural environment.  The 2014 SQA awardees and over 100 past winners will be honored at the Award Luncheon taking place at Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica on April 30^th.

Again this year, LEED sponsors Morley Builders and LAcarGUYshow their commitment to sustainability by supporting this event as well as Environmental Steward sponsors; Pacific Park and Southern California Edison.

"Since the launch of the SQAs 19 years ago, we have recognized 115 local businesses for their exceptional performance. These are the business leaders who are helping us to realize our goal of a Sustainable Santa Monica!” noted Shannon Parry, Assistant Director for the Office of Sustainability and the Environment for the City of Santa Monica. “The Sustainable City Plan was created to enhance our resources, prevent harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefit the social and economic well-being of our community for the sake of current and future generations. These business are showing that this not only possible - it’s profitable.”

The 19^th Annual Award Luncheon program will highlight award winners and host an exciting pre-event “Sustainable Bites” networking hour prepared by Santa Monica chefs such as previous SQA winners Tiato & An Catering and Bru’s Wiffle. In addition, bites will be provided by Back on the Beach/Back on Broadway, Upper West, and culinary students from The Art Institute of California.

"We are so proud to honor businesses that have thrived through the adoption of more sustainable practices," noted Laurel Rosen, President and CEO of Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. "It is our hope that the Sustainable Quality Awards inspire other businesses and individuals to adopt their own practices to promote and support environmental stewardship, social accountability, and a healthy local economy, so we can all strive towards a Sustainable Santa Monica"

A record 21 businesses are confirmed finalists for the 19^th Annual Sustainable Quality Award program:

AURA SHOP

Bike and Park Santa Monica

Bryan Cave LLP

Capital Intelligence Associates

Central Parking, an SP+ Company

The Digital Difference

haleARTS SPACE

HGA Architects and Engineers

Hostelling International – LA/ Santa Monica

Huckleberry Café, Bakery & Catering

IZIP Store

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

Milo & Olive

Perry’s at the beach

Phelps

Real Food Daily

Red Bull North America

Santa Monica Daily Press

The Santa Monica Museum of Art

Shore Hotel

Yahoo, Inc

Event Information

SQA winners will be announced in March and formally recognized during a special luncheon award presentation scheduled for April 30, 2014 at Le Meridien Delfina Hotel in Santa Monica.  The award presentation and luncheon will also showcase sustainable bites from local chefs during a special networking hour.

Pre-paid tickets are $50 for Chamber members and $60 for non-members until April 28^th. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.smsqa.com or reserve tickets by calling 310.393.9825.

Bike valet will be provided and attendees will receive a free raffle ticket for walking, biking or carpooling to the event.

About the Sustainable Quality Awards

The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, the City of Santa Monica, and Sustainable Works have developed the Sustainable Quality Awards (SQA) to identify and recognize businesses in the Santa Monica area that are successfully incorporating sustainable practices into their operations.  The SQA is an annual event that promotes the efforts of local businesses that have made significant achievements in the areas of sustainable economic development, social responsibility, and stewardship of the natural environmen

Event sponsorship or exhibitor information is available on www.smchamber.com/sqa

For more information about the Sustainable Quality Awards, please visit: http://www.smsqa.com/  or view: http://bit.ly/1jnzB98

Press Contact:

Shannon Parry

Shannon.parry@smgov.net

310.458.2227